The bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference was inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri this morning at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan). Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, welcomed Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman and Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre and introduced the IAF Commanders to them.

The CAS briefed the Raksha Mantri on the current status of the IAF and the efforts that have been made in the recent past. During her address the Raksha Mantri said that the devolved powers given to the Service Chiefs should be fully utilised for achieving their capabilities. The Minister said that Air Force alongwith Ordnance Factory Board and DRDO should make an assessment about indigenisation under ‘Make-in-India’ programme. She said that the budgetary allocations should not be viewed as a constraint and should be looked at to acquire what is absolutely necessary. She said that the Government is committed to fill the gaps which have arisen due to lack of timely decision making in the last decade.

The Chief of the Air Staff while addressing the Commanders emphasised the need for continuous effort and training to maintain IAF's cutting edge. He also reiterated the IAF’s role as the first responder in most contingencies and thus the need to sustain the ongoing process of capability enhancement making use of the Government’s thrust on ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.

The Commanders' conference will be conducted over next three days till October 12, 2017 wherein discussions will take place on various subjects that will decide the future trajectory of the Indian Air Force which includes operations, maintenance issues and various administrative initiatives that will be taken to enhance the working environment of the IAF keeping in focus IAF's core principle of 'People First, Mission Always'. In consonance with Government of India's ‘Digital India’ initiative two mobile Apps for Air Force Cellular Network (AFCEL) phones called ‘MEDWATCH’ and ‘AFCHAT’ will be released during the Conference. Various other initiatives like Online Testing & Evaluation and Online Entrance Examination to further the initiative will be covered. The new look Air Force Central Accounts Office (AFCAO) website with enhanced features will also be launched. A book titled 'Aero India- Ascent through the ages' is also scheduled to be released during the conference.

Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman being introduced to the IAF’s Commanders by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC during inaugural session of Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (VB), New Delhi today.

Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman being introduced to the IAF’s Commanders by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa